Favourites July 2017 - Pixi, Kat Von D, Kiko Milano, Lime Crime, Collection, The Body Shop, Ozark

I can't believe that in two days time we will be in August. That just seems crazy to me. Where has the year gone? And that applies to the blog too. I went so good with Blogmas last year until the boiler broke and from then on I just feel like I've run out of steam a little. I couldn't believe it when I checked and the last time I actually sat down and typed up my monthly favourites was last November. My blogging notebooks have the lists for previous months in them so I really didn't think it was that long ago, good intentions and all that. 

Anyway, lets get into it, seeing as its been eight months.

Face Products

GOSH X-Ceptional Wear Foundation

I have an oily T-zone, and part of the reason I don't wear liquid foundation most of the time (despite owning several) is that over summer my oily nose can strip off the foundation within a couple of hours regardless of primer or powder. I then need to spend the rest of the day (usually in a warn office) with a big, shiny, makeup free mess in the middle of my face. The other reason is that my skin is somewhere between neutral and cool toned, and I'm pretty darn ghostly.  So finding a foundation that comes close to matching me, is at least medium coverage, and doesn't melt the moment my skin gets a teeny bit oily is a hard task. 

This works really well though. The match is close enough to my skin tone I don't need to mix it, the coverage isn't exactly what I want (I have a lot of redness down my cheeks) but it can be built up without looking cakey and as long as I powder when I arrive in the office and at lunch, it lasts till 4.30pm when I leave, which is probably the thing I found most impressive. That and it's like £8 from Superdrug (and I got it on 3 for 2). Would highly recommend to any other oily, pink toned, caspers looking for a good foundation for under £10.

Collection Primed & Ready Invisible Setting Powder

Why are you including a basic powder in your favourites Scruffy you may ask, and believe me, I've asked myself that too, but I was just really impressed by this. I only bought it for my handbag as I needed a powder and the one I originally purchased from ELF had crazy chunky packaging on it for far less product.

This is also really cheap, its £4 for 15g, which in terms of makeup is a steal. I know its like £1.50 more than the other collection powders (like the one that's been in my project pan) so compared to them its slightly more expensive but this is actually translucent, or at least I don't notice any colour, if you have a deeper skin tone than me then you may notice it. Its also one of their "powered by Witch" products, which means it claims its been enhanced with Witch Hazel and should help keep breakouts away. I don't know if it works but I'll never say no to skin clearing benefits.

Kiko Milano Radiant Brush in 03 Sunset Pomegranate

Kiko Milano blush products are some of the best I have ever tried and I love the four or five I had before I bought this in mid June. I went in store and they had two of the three blushes from this collection on offer (02 Breathtaking Azelea and this one) so I picked one of each up .Even thought I was more drawn to the other shade, I couldn't say no to a bargain. Once I got home and had a play though, I fell in love with this colour and haven't really used shade 02. 

It looks a little scary in the pan, and far brighter and darker than something I would normally like, but when its applied with a fluffy brush it just gives the most wonderful lightly flushed, slightly stained pink glow to the cheeks. I've had it like six or seven weeks maximum and the pan design is already completely gone from the middle, and thats with my fighting the urge to use it each day as there's two blush minis in my project use up I should be using instead. 

This is down to £3.80 on the Kiko website and probably is about the same instore (which is cheaper than I got it for as well), so if you're making an order or doing a shop I would highly recommend picking this up. 

Highlighters (Yes, they're getting their own section)

PIXI & Aspyn Ovard Glow-y Powder in London Lustre

I'm not a huge fan of the standard champagne, frosty, cream kind of highlight, always favouring pink or peach ones, or glowy blush toppers over them. So when I went into M&S for tights and left with this (and tights) I was a little surprised with myself. However this highlight is super pretty and I am in love with it. 

It is a bit sparkly and pretty intense so a light and is required but its just so pretty and lasts all day. I've actually gone back and purchased the other two colours from the Aspyn Ovard collab, ones a sparkly blush and the other is a more peachy golden highlight that might be a little dark for me, but if it is I'll take it on holiday and use it on my body.

Kat Von D Alchemy Palette

Bottom to top: Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst and Opal

The other highlighter(s) I have been obsessed with. The colours in this are a bit crazy but so so pretty and I have worn all of them, except Emerald, as highlight/blush topper and all four of them on my eyelids. 

It is expensive, but the colours are so vibrant, and as it isn't going to get used crazy fast and its not something you'll need or be able to re-purchase, I'd say its well worth it for a one of splurge.

Eye Products

Lime Crime Venus 2 Grunge Palette

So this palette has been in my collection for a little while but hadn't really gotten into it until this month. I actually think its been a re-action to me trying to pan the I <3 Makeup Naked Chocolate palette for the past few months, which is very nude and creates very work friendly looks, so when it gets to casual Friday or the weekend I've been gravitating towards this. 

I love all the colours in this although I haven't found a way to use either Filter or Boot (the bright blue and sparkly navy shade). Blues aren't really my thing, but all the other shades are right up my alley. Pigeon (top left corner) is this amazing brown shade with a greeny blue shift that is so nice, and the mustard and orange shades have seem some use this month. I guess my only criticism is that I can't create a whole look with it as there's no matte cream or taupe crease colour, but overall I have been loving this for creating fun looks.

Kiko Milano Precision Eyeliner

My two favourite eyeliners are the Illamasqua Precision Ink and the Kat Von D Tattoo liners, but they are both nearly £20 each, which I really hate paying for an eyeliner. I decided whilst I still had some Illamasqua left and a backup Tattoo liner in the drawer, I would try and find a cheaper alternative. After some fails (Sleek, Collection, Eye Co, MUA) one of the girls I work with recommended this one. 

It's really good, and far cheaper than either of my favourites. Its super black, lasts really well without smudging and its really easy to apply. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great eyeliner that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg.

Wet n Wild Photofocus Eyeshadow Primer & Kiko Milano Shadow Stick in 06 Golden Brown

So these products go hand in hand and combine to make one favourite as I only really use them together. 

I was always kind of meh with the shadow sticks as I felt they didn't last that long and creased up easily but the colours were super pretty. Thats why I added this one to my project pan as its a nice colour but I wasn't getting any use out of it and it wasn't until I wore it over the Wet n Wild primer that I fell in love. Its just the nicest bronze, shimmer brown colour

I don't really love the primer with looks that are all powder shadows as I feel like it is a little messy and can cause my eyelids to look a bit weird and puffy, but it works well with liquid and cream shadows.

This combo though, doesn't move at all, no creasing, no fading, no fallout and it lasts all day.

Other Items

Superdrug Pore Cleansing Pads

My skin has improved a lot in the last five months since I went vegetarian, which was an unexpected side effect, but it's still irritable, spot prone and a bit congested in the pore department.  When I'm having a flare up these pads really help and are probably the main reason my skin isn't an insane mess right now. 

I've been trying to use them once a day, every day, to keep on top of the pimples, rather than having a huge flare up and then having to super intensively treat my skin and have it dry out and hurt like what happened earlier this year. And its working pretty well. I'm going to keep going with them and if anything changes I'll let you know.

The Body Shop Red Musk Eau de Toilette

So this is my favourite perfume ever (I think), I did used to really like the original Ghost in the tall blue bottle and although I'm trying to use up two different perfumes I've found myself reaching for this a lot instead. I've mostly resisted but because I wanted to use it so badly I felt like I should include it in my favourites, although it is more of an all time favourite than a July specific one.

Ozark (New TV show on Netflix, no picture for it)

So I don't think I've ever really talked about TV, film or books here before, and I'm not sure why, maybe because the last thing I really loved was West World and that feels like a long time ago. 

Ozark just kind of took me by surprise and sucked me in. There was no hype and I pretty much just watched the trailer, then started watching the show, and I did the whole season in three or four days episode after episode. I'm not normally a binge watcher like that, I'll maybe watch an episode or two and then go away for a bit before I want to see what happens and I sit back down and watch some more, but I was just completely sucked in. 

Jason Bateman was fantastic as Martin Byrde, and it was nice to see him in a more serious role, although I have a theory that Martin Byrde is just a few life choices away from Michael Bluthe (Batemans character in Arrested Development). He also directed four or five of the episodes which was cool. I can't remember if I liked them more or less than the others because the whole show was great and it was one continuous story. Laura Linney also deserves serious props for her possum throwing skills.

Anyway that's everything I think.

Let me know what you have been loving.

xoxo Scruffy

Lush Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb Review with Photos - Cruelty Free Bath Product

When I wrote the original Lush Halloween Haul post (here) I feel like I might have been a bit harsh on this bomb. I stand by what I said, nothing about it screams Halloween and the smell reminds me of other Lush products. However, I have since learned is more of a general winter/Christmas product and now it makes sense to me. So I take back the criticism regarding its spookiness.

Its actually kind of pretty, I don't think I even properly looked at last time. Its covered in white and purple speckles and I've decided I like the green star imprint on it. Its more subtle and grown up than a lot of Lush's holiday stuff and it would also be good if you wanted to get something for a guy and not have it look overly pink and girly or childish. 

I really shouldn't hold things like this. I always get the urge to throw them.

This bath bomb wins awards for the most amazingly unexpected bath show of all time. There are a lot of photos, I found it that awesome.

The water went red, it started bubbling and there was popping candy in it!!!

I was not expecting this at all. Sometimes doing no research on what a bath bomb does it a good thing. I don't think I need to say much more about about this, you've seen the photos, its great fun.

I liked the smell as well, it was more of a generic Lush scent than any of the others I've tried so far but I'm not saying that's a bad thing. Its really pleasant and the scent filled the whole room for a good few hours after the bath had drained away. Love it when this happens. There was no issues with my skin, hair or the bath feeling weird afterwards as well. I think I might stop even mentioning how easy the bath is to clean as well, as all the new things I've tried have been totally fine. 

Score time

Look 3/5

Smell 5/5

Bath show 5/5

Skin Feel 5/5

Minimal Cleanup 5/5

I'm going to buy this again, for sure.  I'm probably going to get my Mum one as well and put it in with her Christmas present as I think its a lot of fun and she would enjoy it.

XOXO Scruffy 

Enquiry? Message me ascruffyduck@gmail.com

September Favourites - Cruelty Free Beauty Favourites

September has been more month than I can cope with. Five flights, two holiday destinations and a whole lot of jet-lag. For that reason I havent been using the same products religiously and so all my favourites are solely make-up (and one haircare product) and not that varied. Sorry folks.

Also last time I checked all the products featured here were completely cruelty free, however if anything has changed please let me know as I've been trying to be super strict regarding this.

Superdrug Hair Therapy Oil with Macadamia

This treatement was an absolute lifesaver on holiday. The conditioner I had packed would have been fine in the UK however with the extreme heat and humidity and the extra intense sun, my hair was soon a dry, frizzy mess. This treatement was really good and could be used both after washing when the hair was wet and then again during the day if it was getting dry and tuggy.

I've been using it since getting back to the UK as well and I really like how it leaves my hair shiny and healthy but not feeling heavy or weighed down. It also isn't so heavy it knocks the curl out my hair. I'd happily buy it again.

Collection Reviving Primer in Cool Rose

I've had this for a while now and I have a bit of a love hate relationship with it. I will never use it straight up and on its own however it is really nice and illuminating when its mixed in with another primer. I just feel like it gives my base a little extra something-something in the morning. 

Probably won't need to buy it again any time soon as its a huge tube and I only need a teeny bit. Would I buy it again though? Yeah, probably. Although by the time I'm done this there will probably be something else out I wan't to try.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Project Chimps

I picked this up in the Sephora in Times Square for as its a really pretty colour and I was excited to finally try the formula. Up until after I got back from the States, Kat Von D was a brand we could not get over here. Now its available on the Debenhams website (and you can click and collect in store), this colour is a Sephora exclusive though.

This lipstick is just the perfect red colour for me, its not to pink, brown or blue for my liking. Its somewhere between red and terracota. Also although the formula is apparently hit and miss, this seems to wear really well on me. It does require a post lunch touch up though so its not maybe as everlasting as it claims.

And from the most expensive to maybe the cheapest on the list...

Collection Extreme Liquid Eyeliner in Brown

Up until recently I had forgotten how good these eyeliners were. The black is an extremely black black and wears for a very long time. Since re-discovering that one, I've gone back and bought them in all the other colours (brown, dark blue and purple), almost in an effort to re-live my late teens. 

As much as I love a black winged liner, the brown has proven much more wearable and its easier to hide any mistakes I make first thing in the morning. Also the formula builds really nicely so if I want a more vibrant colour I can work it that way.

Gosh To Be Cool in Copenhagen Palette

I was unsure about this palette when I picked it up. I like the cool tones but are these too cool for even me? I'm still not sure but I've been loving the top row mixed with either the left or right shade in the middle. I have reached for it every morning since I bought it and the shades are so nice and blendable that I've even started getting adventurous and mixing them with other colours to make brighter eye looks. 

I'm really tempted to pick up one of the other palettes from this line and compare the formulas. They have a really bright one that I kind of fancy but have no idea what I'd do with. I'll maybe get that and just pretend in my head its the new Urban Decay Spectrum Palette. Dam I want that palette.

NYX Fireball Prismatic Eyeshadow Mono

This eyeshadow is amazing. Its just BAMMM. So pretty and reflective. Not one for work though.

I'd be really interested to try more of these as this one is so pretty. If you like colour then go into Boots and swatch them. You're welcome.

MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter in Pink Shimmer

So I've been looking for a good stand alone highlighter for a while and when I had this one recommended to me, I was like. Really..? MUA are a dirt cheap drugstore brand, and although some of their products are pretty good (I did a first impression/ review of their Inkd Stains here)

the only powder products of theirs I've tried are the Loose Powder and Hydrating Face powder. Those powders are nice, but they're nothing special.

This highlighter though... Hot Dam. I'm in love. It starts of subtle but if you go in with a second swipe, it builds super quickly. The pink tones are quite subtle, and its not as bright as any of the other pinks I own, however they are more than enough to stop it looking frosty. It might be me tripping too, but I think theres almost a cool blue sheen kicked off of it. I noticed it in a couple of different lights so I don't think I am.

Kiko Milano Cocoa Shock Blush Duo in 03 Adorable Pink and Peach

Kiko are a brand that are fairly new to me. The store hasn't been opened on Buchanan Street that long (and even if it had, I'm hardly ever passing so they would probably still be new to me), and the store in Silverburn hasn't opened yet. I've had a couple of bits but the only one to make it into my everyday routine is this one. Specifically that peach shade. 

Its a gorgeous soft shade that builds really well. It also works nicely with the MUA highlighter which makes mornings so much easier when I'm half asleep.

So thats what I've been loving this month. Hopefully October will be a little more settled and I can use the same products for at least a couple of weeks and find something I love

xoxo Scruffy